As such, Governor John Hickenlooper proclaimed May 11th as David Merage Day in Colorado. With Lauras leadership, the organization founded RedLine, an urban art laboratory promoting the creative expression of resident artists. Paul's daughter Michelle was involved in the infamous college admissions scandal, also known as Operation Varsity Blues. He serves as chairman of MIG parent companies. Pakal: One of the young leaders of our Iranian Community Program, who is an active reservist commander, raised the issue of the lack of social cohesion and disconnect among army reservists. Chef America wanted a more central location between its California and Kentucky manufacturing operations. Sabrina Merage Naim, daughter of David and Laura Merage, is a passionate and engaged philanthropist working toward making the world a more equitable and unified place. Media & Insights - David & Laura Merage Foundation I guess UC Irvine wasn't prestigious enough? The difference is that Echo targets new companies started by millennial entrepreneurs. Along with his brother, Paul, and late father, Andre, he founded Chef America, a San Fernando Valley-based. need for a hot meal or snack that children could easily prepare themselves when returning from school. Jamie Dimon, the CEO of the countrys largest bank, asserted last month it was absurd to suggest titans like JPMorgan would benefit from the collapse of several regional banks. Feeling alone and searching for a sense of community, she pioneered innovative ways for artists to be part of a collective that gives them inclusion and support. Working six and a half days a week, the Merages marketed their frozen waffles to coffee shops and restaurants. The business really took off in 1985 when Chef America started selling Hot Pockets in retail supermarkets nationwide. Starting with the spring of 2015 and stretching through last year, the Tampa Bay Lightning made it to at least the conference final six of eight years. Paul spent nearly a decade working on specialty food products like Tang, Hostess desserts, and freeze-dried coffee. CIG is in the process of buying another food company, which David declines to identify because the deal has not yet closed. Sabrina Merage Naim Daughter of Hot Pockets co founder David Merage; niece of Paul Merage; Echo Capital Group wife "Behaviors associated with poor mental health and addiction are mistaken for, and treated as, willful criminality," said David Merage. In 1974, Paul and David co-founded their own food company. The Merage Foundation Israel they established. With the support and encouragement of my mother Katherine and my wife Laura, we agreed this would be another great project for the Merage Foundation. As a venture philanthropist, I always look for the highest social returns on my investment. To kindle the younger generation's interest in philanthropy, their grandmother, Katherine Merage, gave each of her 13 grandchildren the gift of a foundation and the freedom to make their own decisions about how to give away the money. Last year, Sabrina launched her own investment company, Echo Capital Group, an offshoot of CIG. Total revenues. In receiving this prestigious award, David joined the ranks of distinguished medalists, including six United States presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and the leaders of industries, educations, the arts, and sports. The David and Laura Merage Foundation has donated tens of millions of dollars to charities in Colorado that focus on education and childhood development. Like CIG, Echo invests in food and beverage companies. They soon learned there was already a big corporation called General Foods, and they changed the name to Chef America Inc. Andre was an investor and an adviser to the business. [1] Biography [ edit] Merage was born in Iran in 1943 to a Jewish family, [2] the son of Katherine and Andre Merage. Its politics. At its peak, Chef America was manufacturing 30 different pocket products, and each production line was turning out 800 to 900 Hot Pockets a minute. Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie were powerless to save a couple of their faves this time. My mother encouraged my interest and love for Israel from a young age. Connected to Life: This program supports and trains senior citizens to use smartphones as a means of strengthening their social and familial ties. A Teeny Tiny Blemish There's just one. [4], In October 2002, he sold Chef America to Nestl SA for $2.6 billion;,[2] at the time, the company had sales of $750 million and over 1,800 employees.[4]. Who is Michelle Janavs? Bio, Wiki, Age, Husband, and Sentence View the profiles of people named David Merage. Founded in 1977, the company behind the microwavable meals,. Trumps lawyers request is based on claims that the judge in the case has been biased against the former president in his judgments thus far. In 1977, David and Paul introduced Hot Pockets, frozen handheld sandwiches with a variety of fillings. High Impact Philanthropy: Laura Merage and Sabrina Merage Naim - Medium He and brother Paul Merage later sold the company to Nestl for $2.6 billion. November 21, 2022. In 2002, Chef America generated $750 million in revenue. "California felt like home," says David. It was Paul who correctly predicted microwaves would soon proliferate in American kitchens, opening up a world of new product category opportunities. Merage family - Forbes Younger brother David joined Paul in California in 1968. HOT POCKET Founder and Successful Entrepreneur, David Merage - PRWeb David Merage is a successful American businessman and venture philanthropist who co-founded the frozen microwave snack Hot Pockets. Laura is an artist and photographer with works in public and private collections nationally and internationally. Specifically, we are currently working on two main programs: DeserTech: Our program aims to support the development and commercialization of climate change and desert technologies (such as AgTech, WaterTech, renewable Energy, and other sustainable innovations). Paul set up an in investment firm in Southern California, and David started Consolidated Investment Group (CIG), an investment management company in Denver that invests for a select group of clients. Paul Merage's daughter Michelle Janavs, a food executive who was at one point regarded as the Hot Pockets "heiress," was later implicated in the notorious Operation Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and later sentenced in February 2020 to five months in prison after pleading guilty to paying Rick Singer $100,000 to fix test scores for her Its investment portfolio is currently valued in excess of $2 billion. She resides in Newport Coast, California. They called the sandwiches Hot Pockets and, in 1983, started marketing them to vending machines, catering businesses and schools. Our plan includes developing the ecosystem of agricultural tourism in the Negev, by improving the quality of existing agritourism products, supporting the establishment of new ventures and creating jobs. [2], Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 11:16, Los Angeles Times: "Merage Makes It His Business to Help Others - UCI's biggest donor began giving away his money after moving to Newport Beach in 2003" by Jeff Gottlieb, New York Times: "Paid Notice: Deaths Merage, Andre", Family Business Magazine: "A continuing streak of value creation - David Merage and his brother sold Chef America Inc., makers of Hot Pockets, to Nestl in 2002. Chef America Inc. Continuing The Value Creation Streak Meet David & Laura - David & Laura Merage Foundation David Merage | I'm Iranian The Denver Post has recently praised RedLine Art Center and Black Cube Head Quarters for their daring new exhibits. Their primary funding interests include early childhood education, economic development in Israel, weather research, and educational programs for young people that promote tolerance and diversity. Its law. Sabrina Merage Naim, daughter of David and Laura Merage, is a passionate and engaged philanthropist working toward making the world a more equitable and unified place. A decade later, they made an astute observation that would change their lives. Every morning I wake up and say to myself, 'This is the start of another good day.' From an early age, I knew I was destined to be an entrepreneur. In the 1920s, he moved to France, where he ran a successful business importing and exporting high-end antiques. Michelle Janavs Husband Janavs' is very private about her personal life therefore it is not known if she is in any relationship. Financially set for life, David could have enjoyed a grand retirement, but the concept is contrary to his nature. Stell 18 Inverness Place East, Englewood, CO 80112. David Merage is a passionate venture philanthropist, and together with his wife Laura, has founded the David & Laura Merage Foundation which invests in social change resulting in children, families, and communities improving the quality and circumstances of their lives. Early Learning Ventures is building a network of over 600 high-performing child-care providers, making quality child care more accessible to American families. If you walk through that door you find that there are many new doors that begin to open up. Laura holds a Masters degree in Art from New York University and is an accomplished artist/photographer with works in public and private collections nationally and internationally. [1] In 2004 the Merage Jewish Community Center[2] opened in Irvine, California; the center was named after the Merage Family and serves the needs of Orange County. Paul and David decided Chef America should forget about breakfast and dinner as categories. The glorious frozen creations known as Hot Pockets were created by two Jewish-Iranian brothers named Paul and David Merage, who immigrated from Tehran to the U.S. for college, according to Saveur.After earning an MBA, Paul worked in marketing at Maxwell Coffee House, but a trip to Europe inspired him to start a frozen waffle business alongside his brother, and thus, former frozen food giant . In 2020, Sabrina founded Evoke Media as a subsidiary of SMF in order to create connection, cultivate conversation, and drive social impact through the power of storytelling. Through his company, Consolidated Investment Group (CIG), David invests in real estate and the capital markets. "And we wanted to sell to an operating company that would retain our management team and other employees.". He spends a lot of his time on the road looking for investment prospects and assessing businesses. In 1971, Andre and Katherine also moved to California. She was a young Jewish woman in Tehran, who was trying to escape from a very abusive husband with her two young daughters. In 2005 Paul donated $30 million to the University of California's School of Business, which was then renamed the Paul Merage School of Business. "My dad and I work together and talk about corporate strategy every day," she says. David was born to Andre and Katherine Merage in Tehran, Iran, in 1949 as one of five children. As the Nazis approached France, the Merage parents made the wise decision to get on a boat and move to their native Tehran. $7,948,855. They're better than their record, but it might already be too late for them to contend, even in the mediocre AL Central. David and brother, Paul, sold Chef America toNestle in 2002. On one European trip, the brothers discovered Belgian waffles. ", Feeling tremendous pressure to keep the business growing at a rate of 15% a year, David and Paul talked about selling the company and spending more time on their philanthropy. Although the brothers had no experience in developing food products or designing machinery, they were undeterred. [2] For over a decade Merage has been a major and active supporter of El Sol Academy, a dual immersion charter school in Santa Ana, California founded in 2001 with 110 students, later enrolling nearly 1,000 students in preschool through eighth grade. His older brother, Paul, had graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. Building on our early success, we soon began research and development of a frozen lunch product which we called the Hot Pocket and sold to schools, catering and vending companies. There was nothing like them.". After interviewing dozens of reservist and army officials, we understood that this was a widespread problem. It addresses new technologies in such fields as life sciences, security, military, IT, food/agriculture and Financial Transactions. David and Laura's 33-year-old son, Jonathan, has forged his own path as a storm chaser interested in extreme weather and its consequences. (303) 789-2664. ", Sabrina was a teenager when her father and uncle sold Chef America, but she says she was unfazed by the publicity or comments from kids at school. My research into her case showed me this was a very typical situation for most Iranians who immigrated to Israel. [2] In 1977,[5] he Founded Chef America, Inc. with his younger brother David. Paul Merage is chairman of MIG Capital which he co-founded with his son Richard and Greg Merage, a member of the extended family, while David Merage runs Consolidated Investment Group. Cities and what people think and feel about them frame in a deep way how we deal with housing policy and economics. He reached into his pockets to give back - jewishjournal.com And, as any late night Hot Pocket consumer can confirm, the true mark of a successful late night Hot Pocket feast was waking up the next morning feeling like someone had scorched the top of your mouth with a blowtorch. My family represents three generations of philanthropists that began with my parents, and we are now working on a fourth generation: my grandchildren! "My father used to tell us stories about successful family businesses," David says. [4] Hot Pockets were manufactured in Englewood, Colorado, Chef America's former headquarters, until moving its business to the rest of Nestl's frozen business in Solon, Ohio. Today, David is an investor and venture philanthropist. Its history. The program has helped Iranian immigrants become an essential part of every aspect of Israeli life, including Israeli culture, education, military, business, and politics. CIG supports five family foundations: the David and Laura Merage Foundation, the Andre and Katherine Merage Foundation, Early Learning Ventures, the Jonathan Merage Foundation and the Sabrina Merage Foundation. Jonathan attended Purdue University and conducts severe weather research throughout the country. Included were four Stanley Cup final appearances and a pair of Cup wins. David and I share a tenacious, hands-on approach to philanthropy, investing our time, capital, business acumen, and problem-solving . [2] Chef America started by selling frozen Belgian waffles - then largely unfamiliar in the United States - to restaurants as they were difficult to cook. Echo has also invested in Stacked Wines, based in Southern California, which sells individually packaged, sealed wine glasses filled with quality wines, suitable for picnics or occasions when people don't want to open a bottle of wine. "I bring together a team of the most creative and committed people I can find and set high expectations and goals," David says. Today, Merage runs Consolidated Investment Group (CIG), a Denver-based company strategically investing in real estate, capital markets and private equity. . 2023 Forbes Media LLC. The CIG Group manages more than $2 billion worth of assets. The company created a considerable workforce employing 1,900 associates in three states, and generating over 6,000 national jobs through the supply chain. Founder of Consolidated - Early Learning Ventures | Facebook "What I've learned from working with David," he says, " is that product quality is king. But more financial planners are aiming to help. The CIG Group owns more than 25,000 apartment units in America, 10 million square feet of office space and 2,500 acres of residential land. She wanted to run away to Israel and asked me for help. For reprint information, contact bwenger@familybusinessmagazine.com. Our movie is more than just theology. [3] He has four siblings: Louise, Camron, David, and Lin. Who was the person who could afford to pay $15 million for two undeveloped plots of land in Newport's most-expensive gated community and then proceed to build a White House-sized mansion on a hilltop overlooking the ocean? At 15, David attended secondary school in England. This model allows Laura and I to be truly diverse in the types of programs and endeavors in which we become involved. For almost 15 years, with the support of a dedicated local team, we granted millions of dollars in hundreds of projects, that touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, and turned the Negev into an attractive place to visit and live in. Over time sales started to take off. The Denver Post has recently praised RedLine Art Center and Black Cube Head Quarters for their daring new exhibits. David and Laura's philanthropic passion started years prior to the formal funding of the organization. $3,601,544. When David and his brother sold Chef America in the early 2000s, David and Laura decided to deepen their giving by establishing a multimillion dollar foundation, using funds from the sale for philanthropic investment. History - David & Laura Merage Foundation Paul Merage (born 1943) is an American billionaire businessman who co-founded Chef America Inc., the company that popularized the microwavable frozen snack Hot Pockets. It has advised Funky Chunky on matters such as designing equipment, redistribution channels and human resources. My parents have always been involved in supporting Israel and the Jewish community in Iran. David Zalubowski, Associated Press Ivanka Trump, daughter of and special adviser to Republican President Donald Trump, wrapped up a two-day tour in Colorado by visiting a child care center near Denver on Friday to highlight the administration's affordable child care efforts. In the early 1960s Paul and his younger brother David moved to the United States to attend the University of California at Berkeley. In the United States, the foundation concentrates its efforts in promoting Early Childhood Education, Arts and Culture and Community Development. That, plus a culture of respect and honesty in everything we do, makes CIG an exciting environment in which to work.". At the age of 15, he traveled to England to pursue his studies and then completed his formal education in the United States with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from California State University. It considers itself a resource to the companies it invests in, drawing on its decades of experience in the food industry. David Merage was co-owner and co-founder of Chef America, Inc., a national frozen . The David and Laura Merage Foundation has generously committed to providing continued support through 2022. Decades ago, a vacation in the South of Israel inspired a big question in my mind: Why is Israel concentrated in the center while a huge land in the South remains empty? I wondered how is it that this small nation has not developed this vast area, while the cities in the center are crowded, and the housing prices are out of reach for most young Israelis. They called the company Chef America, Inc. To get the company's first capital to launch, Paul took out THREE mortgages on his home. The Merage Foundation Israel (MFI) has two main areas of focus: Community Development and Negev Development. David's nephew Ben Levy started working with CIG in 2011 as a private equities manager. Over the years, the program has evolved to become a unique empowerment framework for women, which includes over 10 Iranian womens clubs throughout Israel. They quickly ran out of that money and the brothers were forced to ask for a loan from their parents. Through our Merage Foundation initiatives we create opportunities that increase well-being and positive life outcomes. As an accomplished artist and venture philanthropist, Laura Merage works to positively influence the lives of thousands of people every day. In 1975, David Merage co-founded Chef America, a national frozen food manufacturer known for inventing and marketing Hot Pockets, Lean Pockets, and Croissant Pockets. Wings: For the past 15 years, the Wings Program has been providing immigrant youth and lone soldiers with the tools they need to enter Israeli society as confident and active citizens. The Forgotten Immigrant Origins of America's Most Iconic Microwavable Snack That's very important to him. Laura is also the founder of Black Cube, which works with artists to produce pop up exhibitions in unexpected places while helping artists further their professional careers. A lot of students will be better of with the new financial aid criteria. His sister, Sabrina Merage, has been vice president of corporate strategy at CIG and a core member of the business team since 2012. Total expenses. Over the last two decades, not only have David and Laura continued to deepen their philanthropic commitment, they are also honoring their ancestors who taught them the value of giving back by cultivating generational philanthropy with their children and grandchildren. email info@merage.org David Merage, founder of the David and Laura Merage Foundation, joined prestigious business leaders . Over the years we have supported hundreds of initiatives, benefiting hundreds of thousands of individuals throughout Israel. "I come from a family of entrepreneurs and trendsetters. She founded the Sabrina Merage Foundation in 2008 with the intention of building bridges between diverse societies. Nelson has worked with David for 30 years, as vice president of food services, sales and marketing at Chef America and, since 2005, as a member of CIG's executive team. "Retirement? For the past 22 years, we have created a variety of programs that have improved the life trajectory of hundreds of Iranian-Israeli families, creating multi-generational change. Panlong Tiandi opening attracts "Golden Week" crowd. Its oppression, says Rocky. By 1986 approximately 25% of US households owned a Microwave. We believe in the power of empowerment, leadership development and community building. They spent months testing and perfecting a recipe for frozen waffles. Once again, the brothers were back in the kitchen experimenting with recipes. Mr. Merage continues as a very successful businessman and currently leads one of the largest and most diversified real estate and investment companies in the United States. At the age of 15, he traveled to England to pursue his studies and then completed his formal education in the United States with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from California State University. That's enough to make them one of the richest families in America. Andre Merage died in 2001. The Negev is rich in a wide range of agricultural sites and is a fertile ground to turn these into tourism attractions. Tell us about your special connection to Israel and more specifically to the Israeli-Iranian community. By incorporating real business experience, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for social impact, we provide the best services and quality no matter what we do, and we go where not many people are willing to go. The David and Laura Merage Foundation, based in Colorado, focuses on community development and early childh Brothers Paul and David Merage created a snack sensation with their Hot Pockets, which became a household name. Born in Iran, they came to the U.S. in the 1960s as students and settled in California. All Rights Reserved. Negev Development Division: For the past 15 years, I have been actively involved in the Negev, supporting a variety of projects, from employment and entrepreneurship programs, dozens of festivals and cultural events and supporting local municipalities in the development of strategic plans for demographic growth, urban development, economic growth, health and transportation. Records now reveal the buyer is Sabrina Merage Naim, an heiress to the fortune of tasty microwave snack Hot Pockets, which were invented and popularized by Naim's father David Merage and uncle Paul Merage in the 1980s. The Hollywood superstar and entrepreneur opens up about the ways her haircare line is expanding and offers advice to other working professionals on how to succeed in business today. Later, it introduced two other popular lines, Lean Pockets and Croissant Pockets. Merage developed the concept of a quick two-minute microwaveable meal which was all enclosed in a crust for ease of handling, using nothing more than a paper towel. It doesn't matter what it is; it has to be superb. Arts and Culture: Our foundation invests in public and private arts organizations throughout the US. When I was in high school, the mark of a really fun Friday night with the boys was a tray of Hot Pockets sliding into the microwave. MIG Private Equity is a fund of funds with a portfolio of investments ranging from consumer products to technology companies. That same year the brothers decided to sell the business to Nestle. Financial Aid Is Changing. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. He has been board member and a leading donor for the Pacific Symphony and has served on the board of the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
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